Growers market at VA hospital opens Published July 28, 2015 By Ryan Stark Nucleus writer KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The annual growers market at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center opened on a perfectly sunny day on July 15, with several vendors offering fresh produce. Mary Varnado, the hospital's assistant nurse manager, said she was pleasantly surprised to see six vendors on the market's opening day. "We usually don't have this many vendors the first week," she said. That's because many of the crops these vendors tend to sell at the market have not yet been harvested. "This is such a joyous place," Varnado said. "People look forward to the market, not only for the produce, but our vendors are so friendly and knowledgeable." Two vendors offering produce and advice were Navy veteran Jeff France and Army veteran Donald Welch. Both are in a resident-care program at the VA center and grow their produce on-site. "It's good therapy," France said. "It's fun for us to go out, water the plants and watch the garden grow. It's really fascinating to see how it grows when you take care of it." France and Welch sold rosemary, squash and a few other types of produce. They will soon bring pumpkins, chile, bell peppers, tomatoes, green onions and other crops to sell. "We didn't have a lot to sell today, but we felt good bringing what we had," Welch said. There was a steady trickle of customers as soon as the market opened. Some of the shoppers, Varnado said, came due to announcements about the market that were made to the VA staff and patients. A few of the veterans coming to the hospital for appointments came by as well. Army veteran Robert Michael came with his wife to buy produce. Buying produce at the market is a great example of veterans helping veterans, Michael said. "It's good to get some fresh food while you're here, and it's a good place to come and check out," he said. The market is every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will run until mid-October. It has been taking place at the VA center every year since 2007. Vendors are being recruited for the market. Those who are interested in participating can call 265-1711.